China's Ding loses quarterfinal against Trump at German Masters

LONDON - China's top player Ding Junhui lost to world number one Judd Trump 5-3 in the quarterfinals at the German Snooker Masters on Friday.

Ding, 33, hasn't won any title after taking victory at the 2019 UK Championships. He got two frames back after falling behind 3-0. He shared the following two frames with Trump, but could not stop the defending champion from clinching the victory in the eighth game.

Trump, reaching the semifinal stage for the eighth time this season, will meet Barry Hawkins in the last four as the world number 18 saw off Jordan Brown 5-1.

"It has been incredible consistency that is something I'm proud of," Trump told the World Snooker Tour website. "I have worked very hard this season and I've practiced very hard for this tournament as well."

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament was held behind closed doors in Milton Keynes, England, rather than in Germany.

Earlier this month, Trump was forced to withdraw from the Masters after receiving a positive COVID-19 test result ahead of his first-round match at the prestigious invitation event.